This checklist provides basic guidelines to help you create web content that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Images & Animations
- Use the alt attribute to describe the function of each visual. Example:
- HTML Source Code: <img src="art/logo-green.gif" alt="Access Board Logo">
Multimedia Presentations
-
Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions of video.
Color
- Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color. For example, a web page that directs a user to "press the green button to start" should also identify the green button in some other fashion than simply by color.
- Use sufficient contrast to make things easy to see.
Readability
-
Documents should be readable without requiring an associated style sheet.
Image Maps
-
Use the client-side map and text for hotspots.
Tables
- Avoid using tables for layout and design. If tables are used for layout purposes, do not us the <th> tag. For data tables, row and column headers shall be identified.
- For a detailed explanation with code examples, visit
- http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm#(g)
Frames
-
Use the noframes element and meaningful titles.
Flicker Rate
-
Avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. For example, no flashing or moving text.
Scripts
- Do not use scripting (e.g. Javascript) to display content or critical page function. If scripting is unavoidable, provide alternate text with the same information when script cannot be executed.
Applets and Plug-Ins
- Provide link to external program or plug-in, if required to open a file. (Example: Adobe Acrobat link for PDFs included in the County Footer.)
Electronic Forms
- LimeSurvey, the ISD-provided form tool, is compliant with accessibility standards for forms. To gain access to the LimeSurvey application, contact the ISD Help Desk.
- Follow these guidelines when creating forms in other applications.
- Use “Label” to describe each form element.
- Provide descriptive direction and cue to fill out the form.
Sources:
- Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22), updated: June 21, 2001, The Access Board, a federal agency committed to accessible design. http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm.
- Quick Tips to Make Accessible Web Sites, January 2001, Web Accessibility Initiative. http://www.w3.org/WAI/quicktips/
- Web Accessibility QuickTips: WCAG 2.0 at a Glance, 2008, Web Accessibility Initiative. http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/glance/